Student Assessment Submission and Declaration

When submitting evidence for assessment, you must sign a declaration confirming that the work is
your own.

ESL ID No

Student name: BSU ID NO

Campus

Submission date:

Module name and code Planning Your Career in Business (BMAF008-20)

Assessment No 1

A professional portfolio comprising a personal statement, completed

Title / Topic application for a volunteer/work experience placement with a relevant C.V.
and a skills development action plan.

Lecturer’s name
Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs and students who break the
rules, however innocently, may be penalised. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand
correct referencing practices. As a university-level student, you are expected to use appropriate
references throughout and keep carefully detailed notes of all your sources of materials for the
material you have used in your work, including any material downloaded from the Internet. Please
consult the relevant unit lecturer or your course tutor if you need any further advice.

Student declaration

I certify that the assignment submitted is entirely my own work. I fully understand the consequences of
plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Student signature: Date:

 No Table of Content Page No

Section A:

- A brief introduction to indicate what the portfolio contains and the reason for both the
personal statement and the CV that will be presented.
- You may also want to consider writing a short overview of the chosen organization in a bid
to justify your peculiar interests in working in such a place.

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Overview of the chosen Organisation 1

Section B:

- Personal statement in support of your application for a volunteer/work experience

placement in any organization of your choice.
- A detailed CV that has been carefully designed to fit purpose.

2.0 Personal Statement to support your application 2

2.1 Detailed CV 2

Section C:

- Self-assessment reflecting skill gaps (SWOT Analysis inclusive)

- Action plan tailored towards your skill development (reflecting SMART objectives)

3.0 A personal SWOT analysis 7

3.1 Personal Skill Audit 8

3.2 SMART objectives for skill development (short-term, medium/long-term

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career objectives)

Professional Development Plan and training 9

4 Conclusion 9

5 References (Harvard System only) 10

A professional portfolio comprising a personal statement, completed application for a volunteer/work
experience placement with a relevant C.V. and a skills development action plan.

Section A:

1. Introduction
A personal portfolio is an evidential document that contains both qualitative and quantitative data. It
differs from a resume as its purpose is to build on and give proof about the accomplishments, talents,
and experiences in the school, workplace, and society where I belong (Shore et al., 2020). A personal
portfolio includes a lot of informations. The portfolio should begin with a statement of originality,
where a paragraph is written stating that this is my own work and it is confidential. If any part of the
portfolio is not to be copied, it needs to be also be addressed well too. Next comes work philosophy.
This section should contain a brief description about myself and the industry or sector I would like to
join. After that the actual resume is to be added. A resume is a summarized overview of my skills and
work experience (Sulastri et al., 2015). Here I can also choose to include any documentation of my
degrees, certificates, awards or similar experiences. Work samples, which is the main part of the
portfolio comes now. This section will include the specific works that I have done, achievements I
have accomplished. These will demonstrate the skills and competencies that I have and the employers
will also be able to verify my potential through these. Besides work samples, I can also add the
projects or activities that I am part of right now. This section is called work in progress (Udechukwu
& Manyak, 2009). At last, the portfolio will contain the academic history and references of three to
five people from professionals who can verify my qualifications.

1.1Justification
Townhouse is a popular nail salon that is known for its high-quality services and attention to detail.
They offer a wide range of services, including manicures, pedicures, gel nails, and nail art, and their
staff is trained in the latest techniques and trends in nail care (Townhouse, 2023). The reason for the
popularity of Townhouse is due to its commitment to providing a luxurious and pampering experience
for its clients. Their salons are spacious and well-appointed, and they use high-quality products and
tools to ensure that each client receives the best possible service. In addition, their highly trained and
experienced staff is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and making each client feel
relaxed and refreshed. Working at a popular salon like Townhouse can provide me with access to a
diverse and high-quality clientele, which can help me build my reputation and attract new clients
(Townhouse, 2023). By working at a cutting-edge salon like Townhouse, I will be exposed to the
latest techniques and trends in the nail care and nail art industry, which can help me stay ahead of the
curve and stay relevant in my field.

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Section B:

2. Personal Statement
With over 8 years of experience in the spa and beauty industry, I am confident in my ability to deliver
high-quality nail care treatments and attractive nail art creations for my clients. My career in the
beauty sector began at Newcastle College and University, where I finished my schooling. This strong
foundation in beauty care theory and procedures enabled me to improve my talents in practical
settings at various spas and salons. I have vast experience in a variety of nail care treatments,
including manicures, pedicures, gel nails, and nail art, during the course of my career. I am confident
in my abilities to supply a varied client base with a wide range of services. Clients have regularly
complimented me on my attention to detail, innovation, and great customer service in previous works.
I take delight in ensuring that each client leaves feeling pampered, calm, and renewed. I feel that
offering a comfortable and welcoming setting is critical to developing excellent customer connections
and keeping them coming back. I am convinced that my enthusiasm for the beauty business and
dedication to giving excellent service will make me a great asset.

2.1 CV
Personal Information

Name STELA NICOLETA BOBOC

Address 3 Blackhill Avenue
Contact 07567234525
E-mail Bobocnicoleta@gmail.com
LinkedIn Bobocstela
Website Bobocstela

About Me

I am a highly trained and experienced beauty expert with 8 years of spa and salon experience. I
specialise in nail care and nail art, providing a variety of treatments such as manicures, pedicures, gel
nails, and creative nail art designs. My talents have been developed via on-the-job training as well as
formal study at Newcastle College and University, where I finished a beauty academy programme.
Clients have continually complimented me on my attention to detail, innovation, and great customer
service throughout my career. I am dedicated to delivering a comfortable and friendly environment for
each customer and making sure they leave feeling refreshed and delighted.

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Education

Chic Aesthetic Beauty Academy Newcastle University

2015 – 2017
Grade: First Class
Courses Covered:
1. Makeup artistry: In this course I learned the basics of makeup application, including color
theory, face shape analysis, and makeup application techniques.
2. Spa treatments: In this course I learned various spa treatments, including massages, body
wraps, and facials.
3. Sanitation and safety: In this course I learned important health and safety regulations, as well
as best practices for maintaining a clean and safe environment for clients.

Beauty Academy Newcastle University

2014 – 2015
Grade: First Class
Courses Covered:
1. Skin care and anatomy: In this course I learned the structure and function of the skin, as well
as various skin types and conditions, and how to care for and treat them.
2. Hair care and styling: In this course I learned the basics of hair care and styling, including
cutting, coloring, and chemical treatments.
3. Hair care and styling: In this course I learned the basics of hair care and styling, including
cutting, coloring, and chemical treatments.
4. Business and marketing: In this course I learned the business side of the beauty industry,
including marketing and advertising, customer service, and sales.

Work Experience

Role Manager and Nail Technician

Company Blue Spa Salon
Duration 2020 – 2023
Job Responsibilities Management Responsibilities:
1. Business management: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the
spa or salon, including managing budgets, scheduling staff, and
ensuring the facility is clean and well-maintained.
2. Employee management: Hiring, training, and supervising staff,
including estheticians, nail technicians, hair stylists, and massage
therapists, and manage their schedules to ensure adequate coverage.
3. Sales and marketing: Developing and implementing marketing and

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 sales strategies to attract new clients and retain existing ones, and
monitor sales performance to meet revenue goals.
4. Inventory management: Managing inventory levels of products,
supplies, and equipment, and order and restock as necessary.
5. Compliance: Ensuring that the spa or salon is in compliance with all
local, state, and federal regulations, including health and safety
regulations, and obtain any necessary licenses and permits.
6. Client relations: Building and maintaining positive relationships with
clients, and handle any complaints or concerns in a professional and
timely manner.
Responsibilities as a Nail Technician:
1. Nail care services: Performing a variety of nail care services,
including manicures, pedicures, and gel nails, ensuring that clients
receive high-quality and hygienic services.
2. Nail art design: Creating intricate and visually appealing nail art
designs, using various tools and techniques, such as hand-painting,
stamping, and glitter application.
3. Product knowledge: Staying up-to-date with the latest products and
trends in the nail care and nail art industry, and educate clients on these
products and services.
4. Sanitation and safety: Maintaining a clean and safe work
environment, following all health and safety regulations, and ensuring
that all equipment and tools are properly sterilized.

Role Nail Art Technician

Company Thorn Salon
Duration 2015 – 2020
Job Responsibilities 1. Nail care services: Performing a variety of nail care services,
including manicures, pedicures, and gel nails, ensuring that clients
receive high-quality and hygienic services.
2. Nail art design: Creating intricate and visually appealing nail art
designs, using various tools and techniques, such as hand-painting,
stamping, and glitter application.
3. Customer service: Providing exceptional customer service, including

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 greeting clients, taking appointments, and answering questions.
4. Product knowledge: Staying up-to-date with the latest products and
trends in the nail care and nail art industry, and educate clients on these
products and services.
5. Sanitation and safety: Maintaining a clean and safe work
environment, following all health and safety regulations, and ensuring
that all equipment and tools are properly sterilized.
6. Sales: Upselling products and services to clients, including nail care
products, spa treatments, and additional nail art designs.
7. Record-keeping: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of
client information and services performed.
8. Collaboration: Working closely with other members of the spa or
salon team, such as estheticians, hair stylists, and massage therapists,
to provide clients with a full range of beauty services.

My Career As a beauty spa and salon manager, a nail art technician

List of skills to match
Why those skills are important
my career goals
In any management position, the leadership skill is important. A leader
needs to set clear goals and direction for the employees and subordinates.
Fostering a positive and productive work environment, encouraging
Leadership
teamwork and collaboration among employees, motivating employees to
perform at their best, making quick and effective decisions are also the
key responsibilities of a great leader.

Problem-solving skill involve identifying and resolving challenges and

issues in a timely and effective manner, enhancing decision-making
Problem-solving abilities and ability to handle unexpected situations, increasing efficiency
and productivity by eliminating obstacles and inefficiencies, fostering a
proactive and solution-focused approach to business operations.

This skill ensures the highest quality of services provided to customers by

maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, minimize errors
Attention to detail
and mistakes in procedures and processes. It enhances customer
satisfaction by paying attention to their needs and preferences.

Sales and marketing Sales and marketing skill increases visibility and reach of the business to
potential customers. It attracts new customers and retain existing ones
through effective promotion and advertising. It enhances Enhance brand
recognition, builds a strong brand image, drives revenue growth and

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 increases profitability. It enables customer loyalty and repeats business
through effective relationship-building and customer retention strategies.
And it helps to stay ahead of competitors by staying up-to-date with
industry trends and marketing strategies.

This skill provides high-quality and professional nail care services to

customers. It offers a wide range of nail services and designs to meet
Nail care and art diverse customer needs and preferences. It also involves staying up-to-
expertise date with current trends and techniques in the nail care industry. This skill
is not solely about the art expertise and also about understanding and
delivering what the customer wants.

This involves providing visually appealing and creative hair, nail, makeup
and any service to customers. The customer needs to be offered a wide
range of styling options to meet the diverse needs and preferences. The
service needs to be of high quality and if needed personalised to maximise
Artistic talent
the customer satisfaction. Creativity does not appear out of nothing. One
needs to stay up-to-date with current trends and techniques in the hair and
makeup industry and be able to provide services from that. And
eventually she can create new arts or styles for herself.

This is directly connected to customer satisfaction, reputation in the

market. It is very important to minimise the risk of spreading infections
and diseases. Complying with health and safety regulations and standards
Sanitation and safety is mandatory. It fosters customer confidence and loyalty by providing a
safe and clean environment. It protects employees and customers from
harm or injury while providing services. It helps to avoid legal and
financial consequences of health and safety violations.

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Section C:
3.0 SWOT ANALYSIS

A SWOT analysis is a tool used to identify an individual's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats (Leigh, 2010). The purpose of the analysis is to gain a deeper understanding of an individual's
abilities and limitations, and to identify areas for improvement and growth. To identify the strengths,
one needs to list his/her skills, talents, qualities, and personal traits (Benzaghta et al., 2021). For
weaknesses, he/she needs to list the areas that he/she needs to improve upon, such as skills,
knowledge, personal traits, or habits. Opportunities involves the potential options that are available
such as new job roles, promotions, training and development programs, or other learning
opportunities (Helms & Nixon, 2010). And lastly threats can be any potential challenges or obstacles
that one may face in his/her career, such as competition, changes in the industry, or economic
conditions.

People may improve their awareness of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats by
performing a SWOT analysis, and they can utilise this knowledge to make sensible decisions about
their careers. Individuals may use this study to discover areas for growth, define professional
objectives, and create a plan to achieve their desired career results. It may also assist individuals in
identifying areas of their career where they require more support or resources, as well as in
developing a network of resources and allies to assist them in achieving their professional objectives
(Benzaghta et al., 2021).

Strengths
 A capable leader and manager
 Quick thinker and efficient problem solver
 Attention to detail
 Experienced nail care giver
 Creative and artistic talent
 Up-to-date product and trend knowledge
 Collaboration skill with fellow colleagues
and employees
Opportunities
 As people are becoming more health and
beauty-conscious, the market is growing
 There is a growing trend of niche
services in the beauty industry like
men's grooming or bridal services
 The introduction of new technologies
and products in the beauty industry is
creating new innovative and effective
treatments to customers
Weaknesses
 Emotionally involved in each task
 Not too efficient at multitasking as the work
needs extreme focus
 Dealing with different kind of people can be
mentally taxing
Threats
 Competition in the beauty industry is
increasing as very frequently new
businesses are entering the market
 As it is a luxury service, economic
downturns or fluctuations can reduce
customer spending on it
 There is a shortage of skilled labors in
this field which makes it hard to expand
 The preferences and habits of customers

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 can change rapidly, making it difficult to
keep up with the trends

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 3.1 PERSONAL SKILL AUDIT (Gap analysis)

Personal Skill Audit

List of List of
Rating List of Skill Rating Rating
Knowledge Behaviour
Relationship
Market Trends 5 Problem Solving 4 5
management
Nail Art 5 Quick Thinking 4 Creativity 5

Nail Care 5 Documentation 3 Attention to detail 5

Spa 4 Record Keeping 4 Management 4

Hair 4 Leadership 4

Compliance 4 Negotiation 4

Time Management 4
Rating is between 1 – 5. Where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest.

3.2 SMART OBJECTIVES

An action plan is a comprehensive plan that outlines the activities that must be performed to attain a
given objective or collection of goals (Prinz, 1997). It generally contains precise activities, deadlines,
and resources required to complete the processes and accomplish the target result. An action plan
serves as a road map for decision making and assists individuals or organisations in remaining
focused and structured as they work towards their goals (Scobbie et al., 2010).

A specified, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound action plan is referred to as a SMART
action plan (Bjerke & Renger, 2017). This indicates that the plan's aims and objectives are as follows:

 Specific: Clear and well-defined, expressing just what has to be done.

 Measurable: Use explicit, measurable measures to track progress and achievement.
 Attainable: Realistic and feasible within the restrictions provided.
 Relevant: Aligned with the individual's or organization's wider aims and objectives.
 Time-bound: Have a set completion deadline or timeframe.

Using the SMART criteria, an action plan that is focused, efficient, and successful in assisting an
individual or organisation to achieve its target objective may be produced.

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 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TRAINING

Skills
Required for
Training / Method
Professional
Development
The methods to increase the
skill:
1. Prioritising tasks based on
urgency and importance.
2. Using technology to sort,
plan, setting reminders for
Multitasking each task.
3. Staying organised will help
one to focus on tasks better.
4. Increasing time
management skill.
5. Taking breaks to recover
energy to focus well again.
To get better customer
satisfaction, it is imperative to
understand the customer
Customer psychology. Customer feedback
Service can help a lot to know what they
want. Market research from
surveys can also help to know
the customers’ wants and needs.
To set this mentality, one needs
to have a very open mind. They
must never feel prideful that
they know all or enough. One
Continuous should always try to find out
Improvement what more is to learn. Customer
feedbacks can show a lot of
insights about that. Peer
discussions also can help learn
more.
Duration
(Short,
Mid and
How they relate to employability
Long
term
plan)
The world is very competitive and the
people are very busy with various things
in life. So, they prefer that the services
they receive should take as little time as
possible from their busy life. If one can
efficiently multitask, that person will
Medium definitely save a lot of time and more
customer can be served as a result. So, a
typical employer will definitely prefer
someone who is good with his/her time
management and has good multitasking
skills.
The market is always changing. To
satisfy the customers well, knowing
Medium what the customers want is important
and for that reason customer service skill
is very important to any employer.
Employers do not like if one is too
prideful. The world is very competitive
and there is always demand for
something new. If one has low skill but
the mentality to learn continuously,
Medium
he/she will surely perform well in the
long run. That is why employers value
this mentality so much. And staying
humble also helps connect with peers
and customers.

4 Conclusion

A personal portfolio is an important tool in the job market. It contains all the important data, skills,
work samples that are relevant to the employer and from all the information, they can judge properly
if I am appropriate in the role for the company (Crebert et al., 2004). The portfolio will also help
myself to be more confident. It will point out my strengths and weaknesses. From various
professionals, we can know what key skills are important for a specific job and compare with our own
portfolio to make an action plan to cover those weaknesses we have and become the best prospect
available (Pritchard et al., 2004).

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 5 References

Benzaghta, M.A. et al. (2021) “SWOT analysis applications: An integrative literature review,”
Journal of Global Business Insights, 6(1), pp. 55–73. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.6.1.1148.

Bjerke, M.B. and Renger, R. (2017) “Being smart about writing smart objectives,” Evaluation and
Program Planning, 61, pp. 125–127. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.12.009.

Crebert, G. et al. (2004) “Developing generic skills at university, during work placement and in
employment: Graduates' perceptions,” Higher Education Research & Development, 23(2), pp.
147–165. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0729436042000206636.

Helms, M.M. and Nixon, J. (2010) “Exploring SWOT analysis – where are we now?,” Journal of
Strategy and Management, 3(3), pp. 215–251. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1108/17554251011064837.

Leigh, D. (2010) “SWOT analysis,” Handbook of Improving Performance in the Workplace: Volumes
1-3, pp. 115–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470592663.ch24.

Prinz, W. (1997) “Perception and action planning,” European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 9(2),
pp. 129–154. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/713752551.

Pritchard, R.E. et al. (2004) “Implementing a course-embedded résumé and Professional Employment
Action Plan Preparation Program for College of Business Juniors,” Journal of Education for
Business, 79(6), pp. 348–353. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3200/joeb.79.6.348-353.

Scobbie, L., Dixon, D. and Wyke, S. (2010) “Goal setting and action planning in the rehabilitation
setting: Development of a theoretically informed practice framework,” Clinical Rehabilitation,
25(5), pp. 468–482. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215510389198.

Shore, T., Tashchian, A. and Forrester, W.R. (2020) “The influence of resume quality and ethnicity
cues on employment decisions,” Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(1), pp.
61–76. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.13670.

Sulastri, A., Handoko, M. and Janssens, J.M.A.M. (2015) “Grade point average and biographical data
in personal resumes: Predictors of finding employment,” International Journal of Adolescence
and Youth, 20(3), pp. 306–316. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2014.996236.

Townhouse (2023) About Us, Townhouse. Available at: https://townhouse.co.uk/about-us/ (Accessed:

February 8, 2023).

Udechukwu, I. and Manyak, T. (2009) “Job applicants' perceptions of resumes versus employment
application forms in the recruitment process in a public organization,” Public Personnel
Management, 38(4), pp. 79–96. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/009102600903800405.

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